🇵🇭 Philippines
Palawan travel guide
Palawan is consistently rated the world's best island — a slender wilderness of karst limestone cliffs, underground rivers, pristine coral reefs, and crystal lagoons. El Nido offers island-hopping through dramatic seascapes, Coron has the Philippines' best wreck diving, and the Puerto Princesa Underground River is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Language
Filipino/Tagalog, Cuyonon; English universally spoken
Currency
Philippine Peso (PHP)
Timezone
Asia/Manila
Best time
December–May (dry season)
Budget/day
₱2,500-8,000/day ($45-145)
When to visit
Jan
24 to 31°C
Feb
24 to 32°C
Mar
25 to 33°C
Apr
26 to 34°C
May
26 to 34°C
Jun
25 to 33°C
Jul
24 to 32°C
Aug
24 to 32°C
Sep
24 to 32°C
Oct
24 to 32°C
Nov
24 to 32°C
Dec
24 to 31°C
Safety
7Northern Palawan (El Nido, Coron, Puerto Princesa) is safe for tourists. Do NOT travel to Southern Palawan south of Quezon — kidnapping risk from Abu Sayyaf Group is real and government advisories are active. Check current FCO/State Dept advisories before travelling.
Women travellers
Safe in tourist areas. Puerto Princesa and El Nido are very safe. Normal care at night.
Culture & etiquette
- + Follow island-hopping etiquette — stay on marked paths, don't touch coral
- + Hire accredited Palawan boat operators — they fund conservation
- + Try to visit on non-peak days (mid-week) — El Nido lagoons are crowded at weekends
- - Don't remove coral, shells or marine life — fines are significant
- - Don't use non-biodegradable sunscreen — reef-safe products only (enforced)
- - Don't disregard weather warnings — rough seas in Phil transition seasons are dangerous
Food to try
Fresh tuna kinilaw
Palawan's version of the Philippine raw fish ceviche — locally caught yellowfin tuna briefly marinated in coconut vinegar with ginger, onion, bird's eye chilli and coconut milk; the coconut vinegar is made from fermented coconut sap, giving a sweeter, less harsh acid than citrus; served ice-cold at seafront restaurants in El Nido and Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa BBQ street food
Rizal Avenue in Puerto Princesa is lined with BBQ stalls from 6pm — pork belly (liempo), chicken inasal, seafood on sticks grilled over coconut charcoal; served with garlic rice (sinangag), calamansi (local lime) and vinegar dipping sauce; an essential evening in the capital
Crocodile products (novelty)
Puerto Princesa's unusual speciality — the Palawan Wildlife Rescue Center produces farm-raised crocodile meat sold as tocino (cured), sausages and longganisa; genuinely safe and surprisingly light-tasting; the farm helps conservation of wild crocodiles through sustainable farming
Hidden gems
Details are indicative and may change. Verify visa, safety, and entry requirements before travel.